Conversation Pace with FRE

This week on Conversation Pace with FRE, we get a full race recap of the Boston Marathon from Esteban Trujillo and Calbert Guest. Esteban finished as the 2nd OA Master's with a time of 2:16:19 and Calbert completed his Boston Marathon debut in 2:18:05. They both had quite different training leading up to the race and wildly different race experiences so it was fun to hear them get into it and reflect on lessons learned and things that went well. We also get to hear what they have coming up next and what is exciting them about running right now!Enjoy!

On this episode, we catch up with Calbert Guest to talk about his build toward the Boston Marathon and his breakout 2:19 performance at the Chicago Marathon.Cal grew up in Fort Collins and found his stride early through cross country, track, and trail running. He went on to compete at Appalachian State, helping lead his team to back-to-back conference titles while breaking multiple school records and running 8:42 in the steeplechase at Penn Relays.Now back in Fort Collins, Cal is building momentum in the marathon and trail scene, recently running 2:19 at the Chicago Marathon in his debut. He has big goals that include qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Trials. We talk about his journey from team-centered racing to longer distances, what’s fueling his recent success, and the experiences that continue to shape his love for running.We talk about Courtney's broken elbows episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6FaC4CGWZDCzhOYTxRCzMj?si=kdXg3Kp4R-mvTpydhOtyVwandM1LE Nation: https://runsignup.com/Race/CO/Anywhere/M1LENationChallenge

In this episode, Sophie Seward joins us to to recap her experience at the 50K World Championships. On March 14, Sophie lined up with Team USA to compete in New Delhi, India. We go through her workouts leading into the championship, travel to India, and, of course, the race itself. Spoiler: most things did not go to plan. She walks us through the whole experience and how she was able to pivot and adapt throughout all of these experiences. We are so proud of Sophie for competing for team USA and had so much fun hearing all of her stories from India.

In this episode, I’m joined by Maddie Alm, registered dietitian and founder of Fueling Forward, to break down what ferritin actually tells us — and why optimal levels for endurance athletes may look very different from standard lab ranges.We talk about early signs of low ferritin before anemia develops, why runners are especially susceptible to iron depletion, and how low iron can show up as poor recovery, higher perceived effort, or workouts that just don’t land.Maddie also walks through practical strategies for improving iron status, including nutrition, supplementation protocols, and when athletes should consider getting their labs checked.If you’ve ever wondered why training feels harder than it should, this conversation might help explain why.Follow Maddie:@fueling_forwardfuelingforward.com

We’ve officially launched the Front Range Elite men’s team and this episode has all the tea. This has been a long time coming and was boosted by our youth boys team made up of athletes from across the Poudre School District who chose to come together, train as a unit, and extend their XC season running the USATF XC Youth Series. They went on to win USATF Cross Country Districts, State, and Regionals, and competed at Nationals.Then they asked us to start a men's team so when they graduated after competing in college they could come back and train and race with us.Today we sit down with one of the first men to join this next chapter, Esteban Trujillo, an Olympic Trials qualifier, fresh off a half marathon PR of 105:58 with the Boston Marathon coming up. We talk about what it means to build something like this, how team culture shapes performance, and why chasing big goals alongside other people matters.This is the beginning of something we’re really proud of!IG: @front.range.elite

This week on Conversation Pace with FRE we get to chat with Clara Mayfield.She is an elite American distance runner whose performances span from middle-distance track events to the marathon. She competed collegiately at Carleton College, where she established herself as a nationally competitive distance runner, earning 9 NCAA Division III All-American honors. She went on to compete Division I at the University of Utah, while earning a Master of Public Health degree.Her progression from collegiate success to elite road racing culminated in a breakthrough performance at the California International Marathon, where she ran 2:34:26 to earn the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying standard.Following her competitive collegiate running career, Clara has gone on to medical school, continuing to pursue excellence at the highest level both academically and athletically. She balances the demands of medical training with elite endurance running, exemplifying discipline, resilience, and long-term commitment to performance.Enjoy!Follow Clara on IG: clara.mayfieldPodcast Sponsor: M1LE Nation

This week on Conversation Pace, AnnMarie sits down with friend and teammate, Dr. Courtney Bouchet to talk about exercise neuroscience. They dive into the research behind the stress-protective effects of exercise and how exercise during development (think middle and high school) can have lasting positive impacts on the brain. Courtney did her undergraduate at CU Boulder, then got a master's degree from CU Denver. She went to Portland, Oregon to study at Oregon Health & Science University for her PhD, and now has landed back in Fort Collins for her postdoctoral fellowship. We hope you enjoy this chat!Follow on IG: @front.range.eliteCitations: David C. Glass, Bruce Reim, Jerome E. Singer,Behavioral consequences of adaptation to controllable and uncontrollable noise,Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1971.Amanda E. Baker, Adriana Galván, Andrew J. Fuligni,The connecting brain in context: How adolescent plasticity supports learning and development,Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 2025.

Esteban Trujillo is on Conversation Pace with FRE by special request! A personal trainer and passionate marathon runner based in Fort Collins, Colorado, he began running at around 10 years old and found early success through high school and at the collegiate level at the University of Oregon. After stepping away from the sport for seven years, Esteban returned to competitive running at age 35 with a renewed focus on the marathon.In the five years since his return, he has achieved notable success, including a 2:48 marathon debut at the Lincoln, Nebraska Marathon and an Olympic Trials qualifying performance at CIM, where he set a personal best of 2:14:30. He has also raced several half marathons, with a current personal record of 1:06:09.For Esteban, running is about connection, using the sport to motivate others to pursue their own goals. Over the next few years, he aims to continue competing at a high level while helping bring greater awareness to aging runners and proving that strong performances are still possible as the years add up.Outside of running, Esteban enjoys spending time with his husband and their sassy schnauzer, often heading out for long walks or road trips. He also values time with friends and family and embraces a good dose of shenanigans. When he’s not training, he works as a strength and running coach at Genesis Health Club, firmly believing in practicing what he preaches.Follow Esteban on IG: @frontrangerunnerFollow Front Range Elite: @front.range.elite

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Becharas, a seasoned endurance coach and professional triathlete with years of experience guiding athletes through both peak performance and the often-overlooked recovery phase. Lisa just returned from an amazing performance at the Ironman World Championships in Spain, and we talk about what it really means to recover well after a major race or goal—physically, mentally, and emotionally—and why the post-event window can shape what comes next.Whether you’re coming off a big race, a long training cycle, or a personal milestone, this conversation offers a grounded, practical look at how to recover with intention instead of rushing ahead.Follow Lisa's racing, recovery and dancing: @lisabecharasFollow Front Range Elite: @front.range.elite

This week on Conversation Pace with FRE, we sit down with Sarah, Sophie, Taylor, Courtney, and Kristyn to recap the California International Marathon. It was a historic day in Sacramento. Fifty-five women and fifty-two men qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, and the race also served as the USATF Marathon Championships. We talk about the strategies they use to get through tough moments, what it feels like to run a personal best by ten minutes, and what it is like to share the course with Courtney Dauwalter.

Today we chat with Lin Gentling, one of the most respected leaders in American ultra-running, about the behind the scenes postponement of the 50k World's. Lin is a veteran athlete, coach, race director, and international team leader whose career spans more than three decades. Her service to the sport is exceptional.A former elite athlete herself, Lin was the 1991 TAC (now USATF) National 100K Champion, a member of the 1991 and 1992 USA National 100K Teams competing at the World Challenge, and a multi-time USATF National Age-Group Marathon Champion (2007, 2008; 3rd in 2009).Her leadership footprint is extraordinary. Lin served as President of the American Ultra Running Association (1997–2000) and later became the IAU Americas Representative (2012–2018). Within USATF, she has been a long-time member, including service on the Executive Masters Committee, the MUT Executive Committee, and the Minnesota Association Board, where she chaired the MUT Committee. Since 2009, she has also served as a USATF Liaison to National Championships.Perhaps nowhere is her commitment more visible than in her role as a USA National 100K Team Leader. Lin has led U.S. teams at World Championships and World Cups across more than 25 international events from Belgium to Japan, Russia to Qatar, South Korea to India, and beyond, shaping generations of American ultrarunners. She has also led U.S. 50K National Teams in Romania and India.Beyond competitive ultrarunning, Lin’s influence extends across coaching, athlete development, and community leadership. She is a long-time race director, a coordinator and coach for the Rochester Running Club’s marathon training programs, and a sports psychology consultant for high school, collegiate, and individual athletes.A scholar as well as a practitioner, Lin holds a BA in Biology and Psychology from St. Olaf College (with honors) and an MA in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Psychology from the University of Minnesota.From world stages to local communities, Lin Gentling has dedicated her life to advancing endurance sport and developing athletes.

Anne-Marie Blaney is a decorated distance runner and 2024 University of Central Florida Hall of Fame inductee. She has established herself among the most consistent and competitive athletes on the national stage. She has earned standout results across multiple disciplines, including a 4th-place individual finish and team title, at the 2017 and 2024 USATF Club Cross Country Championships.In international competition, Anne-Marie represented the United States at the 2019 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, finishing as the third American. She continues to compete at the highest level, running her PR of 2:29:25 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. She also finished in 2:31:32 at Boston 2023 and was 9th American.A four-time Olympic Trials qualifier (twice in the 10k and twice in the marathon), Anne-Marie is fully committed to pursuing her athletic career at the most elite level, with her sights set on the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. She trains daily while serving as both team captain and social media coordinator for the Brooks Hansons Distance Project, who she currently trains with in Michigan.We talked about:Stoke Nut Butter: https://stokeperformance.com/pages/aboutand Forward Focus Running where Anne-Marie coaches: http://www.forwardfocusrunning.com/about-coach-anne-marie.htmlOn IG:Follow Anne-Marie: @amblaneyFollow Front Range Elite: @front.range.elite

Registered dietician, endurance athlete, coach and host of Your Diet Sucks podcast Kylee Van Horn shares insights on fueling for a big marathon build, recovery from Haglund's surgery, red flags for underfueling and why your PR starts on your plate. On IG:Follow Kylee: ⁠@flynutrition3⁠Follow Your Diet Sucks: ⁠@yourdietsuckspod⁠Follow Front Range Elite: ⁠@front.range.elite

We love a good race recap, especially when it’s a big one! Rachael just ran a huge PR at the Indy Half Marathon, and we get to hear all about it- race strategy, training insights, mindset, and what’s next. The last time Rachael joined us for a dedicated update was back in Episode 9, so go give that a listen if you want to hear how much she’s grown as an athlete and how her perspective has evolved since then. One thing that never changes: her love for her community- and it always shines through.Enjoy the chat!Follow Rachael on Instagram @rachaelrudel

Annmarie Tuxbery currently trains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, as part of ZAP Endurance. She has been with the team since December 2022, with future plans to be determined as ZAP concludes at the end of the year. Annmarie began her running career in high school at Northwestern Regional 7 in Connecticut (2012) before competing for three years at Bryant University in Rhode Island (2016). After college, she joined the USATF Connecticut team Milford Road Runners, where she primarily raced on the USATF Connecticut road circuit.In 2021, Annmarie became a member of the Craftsbury Green Racing Team, which allowed her to expand her racing beyond Connecticut and Rhode Island. The team’s remote model provided both flexibility and a strong sense of connection. She joined ZAP Endurance at the end of 2022.Annmarie has competed in two Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing 35th with a five-minute personal best in 2020 and 62nd in 2024. She has placed in the top ten twice at the USATF 20K Championships (2018 and 2021) and twice at the USATF 25K Championships (2022 and 2024). In 2024, she set personal bests in both the half marathon (1:11:58 at the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon) and the marathon (2:30:04 at CIM).Outside of running, Annmarie works full-time as a statistical analyst at Warren Rogers Associates, where she has been employed since 2016. She also coaches athletes online and assists twice a week with a youth running group in Boone, North Carolina.You can follow Annmarie on Instagram @annmarietuxbury

This week we welcome back Rachel Conhoff. Rachel Conhoff is an Assistant Cross Country and Track Coach at Indiana State University. She recently earned her master's degree in Exercise Science and is beginning her PhD this year at Penn State University. Her research focuses on female athletes, specifically how the menstrual cycle impacts sleep, mood, and performance. In this episode, we talk about Rachel's journey as a coach and how her running experiences have shaped her research interests. You can catch up on her background in episode #45 where we talk about her National Record and personal running journey.Follow Rachel:Instagram: @rachel.conhoffFollow Front Range EliteInstagram @front.range.eliteIf you're enjoying the show please leave a rating and review!

From high school standout to Olympic Trials marathoner, today’s guest has built a career defined by endurance and purpose. A former Boston University star with multiple conference titles and NCAA qualifications, she’s gone on to earn top-10 finishes at USATF Championships, represent Team USA at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country Run, and compete in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. We are honored to sit down and chat with her as she begins her next OTQ pursuit!Beyond racing, she’s a dedicated coach and advocate, guiding athletes from the 800m to 100 miles while using her platform to champion LGBTQ+ youth and outdoor access. Her Colorado Trail FKT fundraiser and Orlando Youth Alliance campaign have raised thousands for causes she cares about deeply. An outdoor enthusiast and natural leader, she continues to bring heart, grit, and purpose to everything she does. You can follow Rosa on Instagram @rosamoriello

In this conversation, Dr. Elaina Biechler shares her journey from a middle school basketball player to earning a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology. She is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and a professor at Loras College. With 15+ years of coaching experience, she’s helped athletes at every level, from first-time 5K runners to Ironman World Championship qualifiers. And she walks the talk! Elaina is a former Age Group National Champion in long course triathlon, has represented Team USA, and raced at World's in Kona.She also discusses her research in running performance and recovery, the importance of understanding athletic talent, and the balance between coaching high school athletes and managing her personal life. Elaina emphasizes the significance of listening to one's body, the role of genetics in athletic performance, and the need for consistency in training. She also reflects on the identity of athletes beyond their performance metrics, encouraging a holistic view of personal and athletic development.Follow Elaina:Instagram: @emertensbiechlerFollow Front Range Elite Instagram: @front.range.elite If you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review!

Team USA!!! We are beyond thrilled that our own Sophie Seward will represent the United States on the world stage in the 50K Championships in Delhi, India on December 7th!To celebrate our 50th episode of Conversation Pace, Sophie joins us to share her journey of making the team, lessons from US champs, and what the race means to her. For more about her qualifying race- head back to Episode 39 of the podcast "Battle of the 50k's where Sophie, Courtney and Taylor all sat down to recap a giant weekend of racing.

This week on the Conversation Pace podcast, the High Lonesome 100 tables turn: Taylor Bacon interview her crew, pacers, and parents! In this follow-up to episode 48 (High Lonesome 100 recap with Taylor Bacon), we learn what actually happened behind the scenes while Taylor was running 100 miles. Listen in as Taylor hears the stories in real time. They go through the details of crewing and how they overcame difficulties, like a flat tire when they were about to leave for the second crew-able aid station. They walk Taylor through each pacing leg from the pacing perspective. Who threw up 2 minutes into their pacing leg? Who was doing 180s to constantly check whether the runner behind them was actually a mountain lion? Who didn't get to eat any aid station food because Taylor was so efficient? In the second part, Taylor interviews her parents, who volunteered at Hancock aid station and took care of her crew all weekend. What is it like for parents to watch their daughter complete her first 100 miler? And, of course, they discuss the highlights from the weekend.

This week on the Conversation Pace podcast, we get a High Lonesome 100 recap with our teammate, Taylor Bacon.Taylor completed her first 100 mile race and we go through all of the nitty gritty details with her. You’ll feel like you, too, are running 100 miles! From the struggles of walking on a “runnable” dirt road to a dancing unicorn that pulls you out of a low point (and was not a hallucination!), to what it meant to have her crew, pacers, and parents at crewable aid stations to give her a big ol’ hug at key points throughout the race.This episode can be broken into 3 parts:1. HiLo recap. In-depth thoughts, feelings, mountain views between crewable aid stations.2. Mid-race pod!! Taylor and teammate/pacer Courtney recorded a voice note at mile 58 of HiLo! Moment-by-moment mid-race thoughts and gabbing.3. Reflections. What did Taylor take away from this build, what did she feel fully prepared for and what surprised her? How much can be fixed with a hug and a snack?

Braden Nicholson and he is, a 2x NCAA National Champion and 7x All-American from NorthCentral College, a top DIII program located in Naperville, Illinois.Braden has incredible range. He has run 8:07 for 3k, 14:06 for 5k, 29:18 for 10k, and 1:04 in the half marathon. He just wrapped up an incredible NCAA career, winning two national titles—one in dramatic fashion after a competitor wasdisqualified with 150 meters to go for stepping inside the rail. Braden handled it with grace, and even offered his 1st place trophy to the runnerwho was DQ’d.Beyond his racing success, Braden is someone who brings passion to everything—fromexperimenting with bicarbonate in training to sharing books that have help him improvehis mindset and music recs that get him excited during cross training. He’s thoughtful, humble, and genuinely fun to learn from. Enjoy!

On this weeks bonus episode of Conversation Pace we check back in with Adrian Macdonald and hear all about his Western States experience, how he is recovering and his random early return to running because of an opportunity to run with donkeys!If you didn't hear his pre-race thoughts check out Episode 43 first.Adrian finished Western States in 20:14:25 in 35th place. While wildly impressive to gut out a 100 mile finish, this isn't the result Adrian had trained and hoped for. Thank you for sharing your race recap with us about resilience, reflection, and what it takes to keep showing up, even when things go sidewaysAdrian also shares thoughts on his Strava - you can find him here: https://www.strava.com/pros/8368561Check out Adrian's YouTube recap: https://www.adrian.run/Thank you again Adrian, for sharing your experiences, thoughts and running dreams with us!Follow Adrian: @macdonaldadrianFollow Front Range Elite:Instagram: @front.range.eliteIf you're enjoying the show, please leave a rating and review!

Rachel Conhoff is a two-time national record holder for the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1500-meter and 3000-meter steeplechase, with times of 4:25 and 10:54, respectively. In this episode, we discuss Rachel’s athletic journey- from running a sub-6-minute mile in the schoolyard as a kid, to moving to the States to compete at the Division III level for Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, and ultimately completing her NCAA eligibility at the Division I level with Indiana State University. Rachel radiates positivity, and you won’t want to miss this fun, inspiring interview with the real-life Moana!

Dr. Elijah Flenner is a staple of the Fort Collins trail running community. He has completed many ultramarathons, including Quad Rock 50 miler, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), Western States Endurance Run, and High-5 100. He recently started a coaching business, Ridgeline Rhythm, combining his love for supporting the running community, using his experience to help others, and diving into the scientific literature.

Adrian Macdonald is a decorated ultra-distance runner sponsored by On Running and based right here in Fort Collins, Colorado. A competitive runner since high school, he transitioned to mountain, ultra, and trail racing in 2020 and has since established himself as one of the top 100-mile athletes in the sport.His major victories include back-to-back wins at the Leadville Trail 100 in 2021 and 2022, a win at the 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail Miler in New Zealand, and first place at the 2022 Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko Miler in Australia. He recently finished 2nd at the 2024 Leadville Trail 100, 3rd at the 2025 Tarawera Ultra-Trail 102k, and 3rd at the 2023 Speedgoat 50k.Outside of racing, he serves on the board of the Fort Collins Running Club, volunteers at local events, and coaches other athletes. He works at Colorado State University as the Financial Officer for the Department of Statistics and the Treasurer of the Classified Personnel Council.In his free time, he enjoys ice cream, traveling to soccer matches, and biking around Fort Collins.Watch: "What It Takes"Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3-kHh4G0P8Episode 2: https://youtu.be/6O6REsOiTG8?si=9IydNeb9aAtM2vHN

We are so thrilled to chat with Alicia Monson today and get to know her a little better. She grew up in Amery, Wisconsin and ran for the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned Big Ten titles and won the 5,000m NCAA Indoor Championship. Alicia moved to Colorado in 2020 to join the On Athletics Club as a professional runner. She competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and holds the 5,000m and 10,000m American Records. Currently, she is returning to training for competition after having a meniscus root tear and surgery in 2024. We get to hear all about her return to running, what got her into the sport, and more importantly, what kept her loving it. Here is a podcast we mention in the episode where she talks about her Olympic Trials 2020 10k race: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YgEvFAmIHRTzEcNTSdBT0?si=zeVZ81AlTaqQdlZ-_C6VUw

Lydia is a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Indiana State University, where she oversees the NCAA Division I cross country and track, swim and dive, and basketball teams. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and holds a master’s degree in the field. Originally from California, Lydia moved to Fort Collins for her undergraduate studies. In this conversation, we discuss the benefits of strength training for long-distance runners and share memories of our time in Fort Collins!

Taylor Stack won an NCAA steeplechase title at Western Colorado University and, after a break from competition, signed a professional contract with Brooks following a 4th-place finish at Broken Arrow. Sydney Petersen competed for Colorado State University and, after steady collegiate growth, placed 7th at Broken Arrow and also signed with Brooks. In this episode, you will meet these inspiring athletes and see how they support each other in chasing their dreams of representing Team USA.

Taylor Bacon, Sophie Seward, and Courtney Bouchet sit down for the battle of the 50ks and recap a weekend of racing. On April 12th, Sophie raced the Mad City road 50k in Madison, Wisconsin, which served as the Road 50k US Championship race. The next day, her Front Range Elite teammates Taylor Bacon and Courtney Bouchet raced the Gorge Waterfalls trail 50k just outside of Portland, Oregon. They all ran the same distance, but how similar were these races really?

This week we return with Shalaya Kipp for part II of a double episode. We dive deep into her research studies, spanning from the ground reaction forces of the steeplechase to the energetics of super shoes. Shalaya also discusses her more recent work investigating the impact of sports bra tightness on breathing energetics, how much work an athlete is doing to breathe during exercise. Other topics discussed: her current postdoctoral work at the Mayo Clinic and the energy cost of stroller running. We have so much to learn from Dr. Shalaya Kipp! If you are a 40+ Master's athlete who has been in endurance sport for a long time and are interested in her latest study, find more here: www.mayoclinic.org/athleteLink to Shalaya's publications: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Kipp+S&cauthor_id=38350462

This week we sat down with Shalaya Kipp for part I of a double episode.We discuss her journey making the 2012 Olympic team in the steeplechase after a full collegiate season, running through two pregnancies and postpartum, and how many ways running has weaved its way through her life. Bonus, you’ll hear about Shalaya’s favorite waffle recipe! Stay tuned for episode II where Shalaya discusses her research, exercise physiology including supershoes and the impact that sportsbras have on respiratory volume.

Bonus Episode! Today on Conversation Pace with Front Range Elte we are wrapping up Women's History Month chatting with our own Fort Collins Olympian, Libbie Hickman! Libbie was a standout distance runner who represented the United States in the 10,000 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.Over the course of her career, she competed in three WorldChampionships- the 5,000 meters in 1995 and 1997, and stepping up to the 10,000 in 1999.Libbie ran collegiately here at Colorado State University and made history in 1997 becoming the first American woman in 14 years to win the Bolder Boulder.She has so many great lessons to share with us and this feels like the perfect way to wrap up our appreciation for the many amazing women who have contributed to the improvement in women's sports.Her Olympic journey had its share of setbacks. She first qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1988, simply happy to have made the final. By 1992, she was on an upward trajectory but suffered her first major injury, ironically, while balancing training with photo shoots for press coverage, including her first Runner’s World cover. The injury kept her from competing in the trials.The 1996 Olympic Trials proved even more heartbreaking. She missed making the team by a fraction of a second, an experience that tested her resilience. As an alternate, she went through all the motions, sizing for opening ceremony outfits, uniforms, and even the iconic Olympic ring, fully aware that she wouldn’t be competing. The experience was painful, and there were moments when she couldn’t hold back tears.By 1996, she had developed significantly as an athlete, making sacrifices and dedicating herself fully to the sport. But after coming so close, she wasn’t sure if she had the strength to commit to another four-year cycle. It was after long discussions with her coach, Damien, and her husband, Walter, that she realized what truly drove her: the love of competition. In the end, she decided the journey itself mattered more than the fear of falling short. That mindset carried her all the way to the 2000 Olympic Games where her dedication paid off and she represented the USA in the 10,000m.  We hope you enjoy this bonus episode!

This week we chat with Tyler McCandless- mostly about his upcoming 10k at The TEN, put on by Sound Running on March 29 in San Juan Capistrano, CA.Tyler McCandless moved to Fort Collins a few years ago but has been in the running scene for quite some time. He has a personal best of 2:12:28 in the marathon. His athletic journey began on the soccer field at the age of four, but his path shifted when he joined his high school track team to improve his fitness for soccer. In his first track meet in 2002, he ran a 4:56 mile in a dual meet, sparking a passion for running that would define his career.What he discovered in 2002, and continues to love about the sport today, is the simplicity of its formula: consistency, dedication, positivity, and strong inner belief can lead to extraordinary results and the achievement of ambitious goals. He ultimately transitioned from soccer to cross country and track, concluding his high school career with a still-standing school and PIAA District XI record of 9:13 in the 3200m.In college, he showed steady improvement each year, culminating in All-American honors in the 10K in his final race wearing a Penn State uniform in 2010. After earning both a BS and MS in Meteorology in five years, he moved from State College, PA, to Boulder, CO, to complete his PhD while continuing to compete on the roads.In his marathon debut in 2010, he ran 2:17, securing a spot at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Since then, he has competed in distances from the mile to the marathon, achieving career highlights such as a runner-up finish at the 2017 USA Marathon Championships and appearances in four Olympic Marathon Trials. https://www.soundrunning.run/ten

This week, we sit down with Maggie Shafer to talk about how she and her partner decided to go for baby number four, how she’s balancing training during this pregnancy, and the lessons she’s learned from each of her pregnancies when it comes to running and training.It’s wild to think how much things have changed in just a short time. When AnnMarie had her kids, pregnancy often meant the end of a running career- but now, the conversation is shifting. We think it’s important to reflect on that progress and keep pushing the conversation forward to support future generations of runners.And what better time than Women’s History Month?Video: It's a girl/boy???5280 One Mile Challenge

Taylor's first 100 miler! And its an epic one. The High Lonesome 100 is a rugged, high-altitude race that weaves through the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies. With over 23,500 feet of climbing and a high point of 13,150 feet, this course is no joke. Taylor talks about how she got into the race, her mindset leading up to this undertaking, and her training plan of course.The joy in her voice is apparent and we are stoked to cheer her on every (985,722,309,458,249) step(s) of the way!

5280 Distance Project is a elite and sub-elite running team dedicated to pushing the limits located in Denver, CO. Their team brings together athletes who want to set big goals and push themselves across a wide range of distances from the mile to the marathon and even ultra-distance events. They compete on the roads, track and the trails, and are committed to fostering a supportive, high performing community that thrives on passion, grit, hard work, and a shared love for the sport.Today we chat with team founders, Ryder and Kezzie Searle.About Ryder: While attending Colorado Christian University on a tennis scholarship, Ryder didn’t discover his love for competitive running until his junior year of college. The tennis program had just been cut and the head Cross Country and Track coach, Jon Poag, suggested Ryder join the team. After earning All-American honors during his time at CCU in the cross country and track, Ryder wanted to continue training and running competitively post collegiately. He set his sights on the marathon and after 3 attempts Ryder posted a time of 2:17! He qualified and competed in the 2024 USA Olympic Marathon Trials. Ryder loves getting to compete at a high level and after his experience at the trials in 2024, he already has his eyes set on lowering his time and going for it again at the 2028 trials.About Kezzie: Kezzie also found competitive running in an unconventional way. When she met Ryder, she was an avid rock climber and loved any type of outdoor recreation. One day, Jon Poag saw Kezzie running with a former CCU runner and asked Ryder about her. Fast forward, and Kezzie was running at CCU. She competed for the cougars from 2020 to the fall of 2021 and stayed with the team as a volunteer for another semester. Post collegiately Kezzie’s first taste of road racing was 2022 CIM. She initially was not planning on racing the full marathon but since Ryder and a group of their friends were racing, she made the decision the Sunday before the race that she’d run the full. With 14 miles being the longest she had run that fall leading up to the race, she surprised herself by clocking a finishing time of 2:54. While she has always loved pushing herself and seeing what she is capable of, that marathon experience made her want to continue to pursue competitive running, experiment with training, and try racing different distances.We hope you are enjoying hearing about all the different teams, their visions, hopes and dreams.

Today's guest is Carmen Pelar Graves. She is a three-time Olympic Trials qualifier in track and field, specializing in the 3000-meter steeplechase, where she holds an impressive personal record of 9:32. Recruited to Roanoke College for soccer, she discovered a talent for track and field, competing as a sprinter and jumper before gradually transitioning to longer distances. Her dedication paid off when she qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials in the steeplechase.After her professional running career was interrupted by injury, Carmen took a break from the sport, only to rediscover her passion during the pandemic. Coaching herself, she returned to elite competition, earning a spot in the 2021 Olympic Trials and representing Team USA in the steeplechase at the 2022 World Championships.As a co-founder of Denver Athletics, with her husband Sean, Carmen is deeply committed to fostering community through running. She organizes all-comers track meets to unite Denver’s running community and inspire athletes of all levels. Running professionally for Oiselle, Carmen continues to compete at the highest levels while giving back to the sport she loves.Learn more more about Denver Athletics here: https://denverathletics.org/

Dani is an elite runner and high school cross country coachin Fort Collins, Colorado. Originally from Bloomington, Indiana, Dani ran collegiately at Indiana State University where she was a 2-time conference champion and thentrained with Team Indiana Elite for three years. During this time, she coached at a high school in Indiana then collegiately at Western Michigan and Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Since 2016, Dani has been the head cross countrycoach and assistant track coach at Fossil Ridge High School. Thoughtout this time, she has grown the cross countryprogram into the best in Fossil Ridge history, with both boys and girls teams finishing near the top of the state in the 5A division. This year, the boys had a top 10 finish at the state championship and the girls team finished top 3 for the second year in a row. Additionally, the girls team qualified for Nike Cross Nationals in December, where they finished 8ththrough some muddy, rainy conditions in Portland, Oregon. Dani also has an impressive running resume herself, running in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials after qualifying with a 2:43:16 at Grandma’s Marathon. Her husband, Mr. Coach Cook, and 2 kids are an integral part of the Fossil Ridge team, fostering a family-like environment with the more the 100 high schoolers on the team. We are so excited to sit down and chat with Dani Cook!

We're thrilled to kick off 2025 with big plans and exciting adventures! Join Sophie and AnnMarie as they dive into what's ahead, including coaching athletes of all levels, exciting new additions to the 5280 One Mile, and a look at their personal goals for the year.Links to what we discuss:Coaching request5280 One Mile Registration

Andy ran for University of Colorado and was a Four-time All-Big 12 Performer and a two-time cross country All-American.Post collegiately Andy has represented Team USA 17 times, placing 2nd in 2015 and 3rd in 2014 in the Mountain Running Long Distance World Championships. He is a four-time trail national champion.Andy is the founder of The Trail Team, a Boulder, CO based team who strives to increase support for US-based trail runners by sponsoring six under-supported sub-ultra runners, uniting the best unsponsored trail runners in the country, and promoting the trail community in Boulder with in-person training to compete at a world-class level.He and his wife Karley have a dog named Fig who often goes on adventures with them. Andy is also a huge proponent of trail running within more structured avenues, like USATF where hewas just elected as one of the athlete commision event leaders for mountain, ultra, trail division.Andy recently published an article on ATRA. You can read it here: https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/usatf-what-is-its-role-in-mountain-ultra-trail-mut/

This week on Conversation Pace with FRE get an inside peek into pre-race preparation and thoughts about Club Cross Country Nationals, along with post-race results and highlights. We had a blast recording this and hope you enjoy listening. This episode is brought to you by 5280 Mile- stay tuned for registration opening Jan 1, 2025 along with some awesome prizes and changes to train and run the mile with friends!

Ben Randall is a Master's of Science graduate student within the Journalism & Media Department at Colorado State University—currently finishing his Thesis on cis-gendered male endurance athlete’s relationship with communication and nutrition. He completed his B.A. in Journalism & Media Communication--also from CSU--from 2019-2021, specializing in science communication, podcasting, and public relations. He is a recipient of a 2022 Fulbright Scholarship with Queens University Belfast, in Northern Ireland, as well as class valedictorian and commencement speaker in 2021.Ben's journey with endurance sports began as a 17-year-old junior in high school, in Gretna, Nebraska, where he was born and raised. Looking for an alternative outlet to moving his body than basketball, his sport of choice from ages 8-18 (and still--he WILL cross you up if you get too close), Ben started running track and field. Running was a new, fun outlet that allowed him to spend time with his friends and improve himself, and after two T&F seasons in high school, one XC season, and a fall of unstructured undergraduate classes at CSU in 2019--it was a perfect storm for the endurance sports "bug" to strike. Ben joined the CSU triathlon team as a freshman in college, competition at multisport events and running races all across the nation, posting impressive running and cycling splits. It wasn't until 2023, when Ben really decided to commit to running at a higher level, that results started to show--Ben placed 7th overall at the Havasu MWC Triathlon in 2023, 22nd overall at Collegiate Triathlon Nationals in Lake Lanier, GA (and the fastest run split off the bike in the nation, 10k in 32:10), and won the Colorado Marathon in 2023, in a course record time of 2:24:06.All of these results combined to a deep love for pushing his body through endurance sports--a mantra that would become heavily tested as Ben was granted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run for Colorado State University during his second year of graduate school. Despite it being an entirely new level of competition in the NCAA, Ben had a solid cross-country season, competition on the Conference and Regional teams, and posted all-time school record times of 14:33 at altitude in the 5k (14:07 converted), and 29:44 in the 10k, as well as built friendships and comradery to last a lifetime. Now, a soon-to-graduate thesis student, Ben is chasing a career with Pro Triathlon, after successfully earning his Liscense last year, and having a great pro debut race at Boulder 70.3, posting the 2nd fastest run split of the day (1:11 half marathon off the bike). He splits time for work between CSU's Colorado Water Center and as an intern with the BIL/IRA Comms department of the National Park Service - science communication is a cornerstone of his deep love for journalistic work. Apart from work, academia, and athletics, Ben is an avid baker, dog-dad, and is a coffee connoisseur. 

Taylor is a Soil Science PhD student at Colorado State University studying sustainable land management and renewable energy. She started running in 6th grade when her mom founded her elementary school’s Turkey Trot and she joined the middle school cross country team shortly after. Over adventure filled runs with her cross country team, she fell in love with running (and met her now partner Alex!). After high school, Taylor walked onto the Princeton Cross Country Team where she raced cross country, indoor and outdoor track.After college, she stepped back from running for a few years until she moved to Fort Collins in May 2022 and discovered the incredible running community here. Since then, she’s been catching the racing bug again with everything from 5k to 50 miles.

Anna has been on fire and we had to chat with her again to dig deeper into her story and athletic career at CSU. You can listen to more of her backstory on Episode 19. Anna is a first year grad student at Colorado State University studying journalism and media communication and running track and cross country. She grew up in North Carolina before graduating from high school in Michigan, where she had a breakthrough in her young running career and was recruited to run collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After one year at Wisconsin, Anna transferred to Colorado State where the program was a much better fit, and now she couldn't live without the mountains. Between a lot of time riding her bike on mountain roads and running workouts on the track, she has figured out a training balance to be a healthy, high-achieving athlete. Holding two school records at CSU in the indoor mile- 4:39- and outdoor 1500m- 4:18- Anna was first inspired to run by her mom, who passed away when she was 15 after battling breast cancer. Now Anna carries her mom with her in all her endeavors, whether it be running, school, writing for her blog, or caring for her family, friends, or dogs. 

Post long run and team brunch - what better time than that for some individual updates? Of course not everyone could make it, busy lives and all - seems like some bonus episodes are in order!

On this week's episode, join hosts Courtney Bouchet and Jeff Randall as they dive into the their recent adventure of running circumnavigation trail run around Oregon’s iconic Mt. Hood. From the detailed preparation and gear choices to the creative food strategies that kept them fueled, they share insights, anecdotes, and lessons learned on this rugged 40-mile journey. They dig into the moments that made the journey rewarding and the tough mindset challenges that pushed them over their 12 hour.Follow Courtney on Instagram @lebouchetMt Hood Circumnav on AllTrailsFront Range Elite: https://linktr.ee/FrontRangeElite

Maggie Montoya ran for Baylor University and now lives and trains in Boulder, Colorado with the Roots Running Project. She is gearing up for the New York City Marathon on November 3rd and is coming off an incredible season running in both the 5k and 10k at the Olympic Trials and finishing the Olympic Trials Marathon back in February even after battling a respiratory illness. Her range in distances is pretty incredible. Her mile time in Boulder which sits at an altitude of 5,430 is 4:38. Last year she broke the record at Grandma's Half Marathon in a time of 1:09:41. Her marathon PR of 2:28 is from the Chicago Marathon in 2022. Maggie is #goals. Enjoy this chat. :)

Lauren Neugeboren- a conversation with one of FRE's newest members! Hear about her amazing race at Black Squirrel Half Marathon, her journey being an athlete at CSU, and her upcoming goals of breaking 16 in the 5k!

Anna is a first year grad student at Colorado State University studying journalism and media communication and running track and cross country. She grew up in North Carolina before graduating from high school in Michigan, where she had a breakthrough in her young running career and was recruited to run collegiately at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After one year at Wisconsin, Anna transferred to Colorado State where the program was a much better fit, and now she couldn't live without the mountains. Between a lot of time riding her bike on mountain roads and running workouts on the track, she has figured out a training balance to be a healthy, high-achieving athlete. Holding two school records at CSU in the indoor mile- 4:39- and outdoor 1500m- 4:18- Anna was first inspired to run by her mom, who passed away when she was 15 after battling breast cancer. Now Anna carries her mom with her in all her endeavors, whether it be running, school, writing for her blog, or caring for her family, friends, or dogs. Ben competed on the CSU triathlon team, but after a record setting run at the 2023 Colorado Marathon (among other achievements) he was granted an opportunity to run for Colorado State University during his second year of graduate school. Despite it being an entirely new level of competition in the NCAA, Ben had a solid cross-country season, competition on the Conference and Regional teams, and posted all-time school record times of 14:33 at altitude in the 5k (14:07 converted), and 29:44 in the 10k, as well as built friendships and comradery to last a lifetime. He is now a soon-to-graduate thesis student, chasing a career with Pro Triathlon, after successfully earning his License last year, and having a great pro debut race at Boulder 70.3, posting the 2nd fastest run split of the day (1:11 half marathon off the bike). He splits time for work between CSU's Colorado Water Center and as an intern with the BIL/IRA Comms department of the National Park Service - science communication is a cornerstone of his deep love for journalistic work. Apart from work, academia, and athletics, Ben is an avid baker, dog-dad to Mable and Grizz, and is a coffee connoisseur.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.